Tag Archives: chiropractic

Did you know that back pain is second only to the common cold as the most frequent cause of sick leave? Back pain accounts for approximately 40% of all work absences. A study from 1999 found that an estimated 22 million people suffer from back pain that lasts one week or more with an estimated 149 million days of lost work. So what would those numbers be today in 2017? Chiropractors are experts on diagnosing, treating, managing and preventing back pain. If you haven’t had back pain yet, you are lucky, because for most Americans, it is just a matter of time. Visit the pro’s who handle these problems on a daily basis!!

Health is something most people take for granted, however as we age, we start thinking about our mortality a little more frequently. Spine problems are one of those things that can make every day activities more challenging if not addressed. Here are just a few of the problems that can occur with the spine as we age. Degenerative changes of the disc and vertebrae can be a result of genetics, trauma, wear and tear or just life itself. The discs can become thinner, the vertebrae can develop bone spurs. Arthritis can contribute to pain in the spinal joints. Stenosis can occur with a bulging disc or bony changes along the spinal canal. All of the previous can contribute muscle or nerve issues along the spine that can affect the limbs (think sciatica). Chiropractors are educated and trained to diagnose and treat patients with these issues and help them enjoy their daily activities to the fullest. Don’t let spine problems ruin your fun!!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend. I asked a question about an ankle sprain last time, and the answer is the “anterior talofibular ligament” as being the most commonly injured ligament with an inversion sprain. An inversion sprain is the typical “roll” the ankle after stepping on a uneven surface or sports type injury. The pain is along the outside of the ankle, just under and forward of the lateral malleolus. That is the bony protrusion along the outside of the ankle. Another ankle injury we hear more about all the time is the “high ankle sprain” which is a sprain of the ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula just above the ankle, thus the term “high ankle sprain”. I see it more with football players than most other sports. I have had my share of ankle sprains and chiropractors can treat these injuries as well as anyone!

What is that noise? I often get asked that question when someone hears popping or clicking or creaking at a joint. The popping you hear during a chiropractic adjustment is caused by a quick separation of the joint and a gas bubble forms in the joint fluid, kind of like a cavitation. Think of popping your knuckle, however it wont pop again for a while later. If the popping or clicking can be reproduced over and over in a very short time frame, then it is usually a tendon or ligament rubbing across a bony structure. This isn’t a problem unless there is pain or swelling in the region. Joints will pop or creak for a variety of reasons, especially as we age. Most of the time its ok, but if it hurts, get it checked out!!

Do you know the most common ligament injured in a sprained ankle (inversion sprain)? With summer cruising along, the sports season heats up, as baseball and softball players are happy to be outside in the sunshine doing their thing. One of our local pro baseball players (think MVP) recently sprained an ankle and after just a couple days said he felt much better stating he received immediate care for the injury. Did you know if you sprain your ankle, you can get professional care just like the pros? The pros may get more round-the-clock care than us average joes, however, you still can get great care for sports injuries, just like the athletes making the big bucks. Our clinic has the technology and knowledge to treat sports injuries of almost any type. Give it a try!! Answer, next time !!

Chronic pain is one of those things that can literally make you lose your mind or even damage it. A study of over 10,000 elderly adults found that those adults dealing with moderate to severe chronic pain, also had a significantly more rapid decline in cognitive function including memory, attention, as well as increased signs of dementia. This was compared to people with little to no pain. So instead of getting a prescription for opioids when you are in pain, find your local chiropractor, as study after study has proven its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of those with chronic pain.!!

Last time I spoke about sports injuries. I am a certified chiropractic sports physician (CCSP) and have been treating those with sports injuries from the beginning of my career. Did you know that you can get the same care professional athletes get when they are injured? Let’s be honest, professional athletes generally can have around-the-clock care and access to all the bells and whistles that you and I probably wont get when we get hurt. However, an injury to a pro athlete is often the same injury you and I get. A major difference is, we cant miss work and tend to gut-it-out through those injuries. I don’t know about you, but if I’m not working, I usually am not making any money. So, if you or the young athlete in your family suffers a sports or non-sports injury, think Chiropractic. It works.

Did you know your skeleton is the frame that all other body systems integrate around. The spine is the central support column that can suffer with poor posture or other disorders like scoliosis (curvature of the spine). When the hips are at different heights or the legs are functionally different lengths (leg length inequality), or the shoulders slouch, the spine is forced to carry the body asymmetrically, thus adding to atypical stresses on the muscle and joints of the body, especially the spine and lower extremities. Chiropractic is great for treating people with postural issues or disorders such as scoliosis. In fact many people have mild scoliosis and probably do not know they have it. I found out I had scoliosis when I entered Chiropractic College. My own back issues indirectly led me into the Chiropractic profession and Chiropractic care has helped me maintain my spine. It works!!

Did you know that your neck helps sub serve the senses? Think about it for a moment. If you hear an unusual noise, you turn your ear towards it. When you bring a spoon or drink up to your mouth, you will generally bend your neck to allow it to meet your lips. When you catch something out of the corner of your eye, you turn your head to get a better glimpse. When you smell something nice or pungent you generally turn your nose toward or away from the odor. When your face feels something brush across it, you usually turn the head to find the source. The neck has 7 vertebrae that help make this all happen, so do not take injuries to this part of your spine too lightly. Motor vehicle accidents are notorious for injuring the neck. Talk to your chiropractor to find out how they can help with neck injuries!!

Did you know that there is an 80% chance that you will suffer from back pain, if you already haven’t? Did you know that there are 500,000 disc surgeries annually and that most of them are unnecessary and ineffective? Several studies now indicate that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate the pain from degenerative discs, disc herniation’s, and/or radiculopathy do not work. This can lead to significant increase with disability, opiate use, prolonged work loss and poor return to work status. On the plus side, the medical world is now rethinking its approach to back problems because “the world of spinal medicine, unfortunately, is producing patients with failed back surgery syndrome at an alarming rate”. “There is an overwhelming body of evidence indicating that chiropractic management of low back pain is more cost-effective than medical management.” Dr. Anthony Rosner testifying before of the Institute of Medicine, stated, “Today we can argue that chiropractic care, at least for back pain, appears to have vaulted from last to first place as a treatment option.” Spread the word to your friends and loved ones!